A special covid recovery plan for Glasgow is needed to help businesses cope with reduced custom and a drop in income, a city MSP has said.

Pauline McNeill, Glasgow Labour MSP said the city had been hit hardest and longest from lockdown measures in 2020 and has taken longer to recover with office staff still working from home.

She brought it up with Nicola Sturgeon at First Minister’s Questions and said the Scottish Government needs to step in as the issue is so serious.

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City centre shops, cafes and other businesses that depend on the large working population have been affected and McNeill said only a fraction of city centre workers have returned to offices.

Glasgow Times: Pauline McNeill in Holyrood

She said: “Glasgow endured the longest lockdown in Scotland during the height of the pandemic and businesses in the city have had to face the consequences of that.

“The pandemic isn’t over and only 1 in 12 office workers have returned to work in Glasgow. The damage such a significant reduction in footfall is having on businesses in the city is clear.”

The MSP said 3,000 jobs have been lost from Glasgow airport, adding to concerns about the city’s long-term recovery.

She said: “As a city region, Glasgow is a key driver of the Scottish economy and is crucially important to west central Scotland.

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The MSP said added tha Covid restrictions on pubs and clubs has also hampered the recovery of Glasgow’s music and nightlife sectors.

She accused the council of “poor leadership” and said: “Given the size of the problem a solution of this magnitude is necessary”.

McNeill asked the First Minister: “Given that, will the First Minister say whether she agrees that Glasgow, as a key driver for the economy, urgently needs to have a fully resourced recovery plan, with something like a specialist team to co-ordinate recovery and investment, in order to ensure that the city’s recovery from the pandemic actually happens?”

Nicola Sturgeon said support like business rates relief and the small business bonus scheme helped business in Glasgow but added she agreed in general with Pauline McNeill.

Glasgow Times:

She said “I know that the leader of the council, and indeed the council administration, are very focused on supporting recovery in general across Glasgow, and economic and business recovery in particular.

“The Scottish Government needs to and will work closely with Glasgow City Council, and indeed other local authorities, as we come out of Covid.”